Microorganisms that cause ‘the smell of dirt on a rainy day’ are expected to be used for industrial purposes such as perfume raw materials.
provided by Ministry of Environment of Korea
The National Honam Biological Resources Center under the Ministry of Environment (Director Ryu Tae-cheol) recently discovered blue-green algae of the ‘Nostoc genus’ that produce ‘2-methylisoborneol’, the substance responsible for ‘rain smell’, and cultivated related strains. They announced that they have applied for a patent for a method that can be used.
The National Honam Area Biological Resources Center has been studying blue-green algae in the island’s soil through the ‘Establishment of a Soil Blue-green Algae Library’ research project that has been underway since 2022, and is producing ‘2-methylisoborneol’ in the soil of Gohado in Mokpo, where the main building is located. Microorganisms were discovered.
‘2-Methylisoborneol’ is a volatile organic compound that causes an odor emanating from rain or soil. It is not harmful to the human body, but its unique odor can cause discomfort, so it is designated as a drinking water quality monitoring item.
A total of 32 items are specified, including microorganisms, chemicals, heavy metals, and organic substances that can be contained in tap water, and the surveillance standard for ‘2-methylisoborneol’ is set at 0.02㎍/L as a substance with an aesthetic impact.
This substance has potential for industrial use, such as being used as a raw material for perfumes that mimic natural smells in Europe and elsewhere, and recent domestic research has revealed that this smell has a positive effect on brain activity, including improving concentration.
Beginning in the early 1960s in India, when it was sold as a perfume called ‘Matti ka Attar’, in 2015, French perfume brand ‘État Libre d’Orange’ released a perfume using the scent of rain.
** Research by Professor Kim Seong-moon’s team at Kangwon National University (2017) ‘Gender Differences in Electroencephalographic Activity in Response to the Earthy Odorants Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol’ Methylisoborneol)’ and a study by Professor Park Shin-ae’s team at Konkuk University (2022) titled ‘The effects of horticultural activities using soil inoculated with Streptomyces limosus (actinomycetes) on the psychophysiological and metabolomic responses of adults (Psychophysiological and Metabolomics). ‘Responses of Adults during Horticultural Activities Using Soil Inoculated with Streptomyces rimosus: A Pilot Study’ is mentioned as a related study.
Researchers at the National Honam Biological Resources Center confirmed that the newly discovered island soil microorganism was a ‘Nostoc’ genus strain that produces 2-methylisoborneol, developed a culture method for the strain, and applied for a patent in July of this year.
Strains of Nostoc, a soil blue-green algae producing 2-methylisoborneol, and their culture methods (10-2024-0094202)
Ryu Tae-cheol, director of the Honam National Biological Resources Center, said, “Most domestic research so far has focused on aquatic blue-green algae, but this discovery “It is an important example that shows the possibility of industrial use of blue-green algae in the soil of the island region,” he said. “We will further study the positive effects of ‘2-methylisoborneol’ on brain health to revitalize the national biological industry such as perfume raw materials.” He said.
Editor. Seyeong Hong
